Mourinho Backs England To End 60-Year Wait For World Cup Glory

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has tipped England to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, backing the Three Lions to overcome decades of heartbreak and finally end their 60-year wait for major international silverware.

The Portuguese tactician, speaking on the Beast Mode On Podcast, expressed unwavering faith in the current England squad despite the nation’s painful history of falling short on the biggest stage.

England have opened their Group L campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia and a goalless draw against Ghana, with a final group match against Panama still to come before the knockout rounds.

Mourinho, who returned to Real Madrid on a three-year contract earlier this year following a successful spell at Benfica, acknowledged that his confidence in England is not new—but insisted this generation has what it takes to go all the way.

“I always say England [will be in contention to make the final],” he said. “I look to the players, and we come from that generation, [Frank] Lampard, [Steven] Gerrard, [John] Terry, [Rio] Ferdinand, [David] Beckham. Since then, I always say England, and then it doesn’t happen, but I always say England.”

The 63-year-old coach pointed to fine margins as the difference between England’s past failures and potential success, highlighting penalty shootouts as a cruel lottery that has repeatedly denied the Three Lions. “When you lose on penalties you are speaking about details,” Mourinho explained.

“They lost on penalties once, in the Euro 2004 in Portugal… Portugal beat them on penalties too. Penalties are just little clicks.”

However, Mourinho also identified the enormous weight of expectation as England’s greatest obstacle, suggesting that media pressure has historically crippled the squad’s ability to perform.

“I believe they have more pressure than anybody else in relation to the media. And the media, at the end of the day, they influence the people a lot—in this case the English fans,” he said. “Expectation. Responsibility. They couldn’t cope with it. They always had good coaches. They have another good coach again. I always think they can [win the World Cup].”

Mourinho’s comments carry added weight given his return to the Bernabéu, where he will be watching the tournament unfold while preparing Real Madrid for the upcoming season. His endorsement of England comes at a crucial juncture, with the Three Lions needing just a point against Panama to secure top spot in Group L and a favourable path through the knockout bracket.

For England manager Gareth Southgate, Mourinho’s vote of confidence—despite the Portuguese coach’s critique of media influence—will be welcomed as his squad prepares for the knockout stages. With star players like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Declan Rice in inspired form, the Three Lions have the talent to justify Mourinho’s faith.

Whether England can finally convert potential into glory remains to be seen. But if Mourinho’s prediction proves correct, the Three Lions will lift the World Cup for the first time since 1966—silencing decades of doubters and rewriting the nation’s footballing history. The journey continues against Panama, with the knockout rounds looming large.